Hi, Planning our trip to Naples FL from Cincinnati Oh. I have a 32ft class C and I pull a Chevy Equinox toad. This my sound like a dumb and basic question, but has anyone noticed that it's hard to find a gas station you can get in and out of? Almost all gas stations are built so that you have to pull in facing the building. At 32ft and a toad, how are you supposed to maneuver out of these places? If I could only back up, it would not be as difficult.I get on Google maps and check out gas stations along the way where I need to stop, looking at the street view of the stations along I-75. I'm looking for the older versions, where the pumps are parallel with the road. Very hard to find one that will accommodate my rig & toad. I know that Flying J has many stations with RV lanes, but they're not where I'm going all the time. Love's and Pilot and other truck stops don't have gas in the diesel lanes. I'm having a hell of a time finding gas stations anymore. What does everyone else do when searching for a place to stop?Ken

I look for the large stations or truck stops.The large stations have enough room between the pump islands and the building to pull away from the pump and head towards the exit. Especially the outer most pump islands.Flying J and some of the other nationwide truck stops have RV friendly pump islands.Even some of the smaller older stations where the islands are parallel to the building work.I've only had one issue in over 40 years of traveling. I had to get gas in a small town and the station was so small that my TT hung out into the street. My DW stood at the back of the TT and directed folks around it...she got a lot of smiles and waves (friendly folks). I had to back out to head back down the road.Plan B is to unhitch the toad, get gas and then hitch the toad back up again.

We find Gas Buddy best for looking at getting into and out of stations, but we haven't been east as far as Ohio. Generally we prefer using Sam's Clubs. Their prices beat the truck stops and there's plenty of room. Can shop while we're there also.Bill

You are no wider than any dually around & the toad will follow between the front wheel track & rear wheel track so that is not an issue either. Your wheel base length is no longer than many of the box trucks that are in & out of gas stations with no problem.Now, if you were towing a great long TT or 5th wheel then you would have challenges with older in town gas stations.We are 55'LOA & do not plan ahead for specific fuel stations. Don't make an effort to go to truck stops either. Most of the time the stations near the exits are roomy enough. After all we are smaller than the fuel trucks that supply the stations.

reduce your stress and just use truck stops :)

My basic philosophy is to plan my exit before I pull in to a fuel stop. In quite a few years of towing TT's, and driving Class C's or Class A's hauling a toad, I've only had to back up once to get out. And that was only for a few feet for a better cut to clear an improperly parked car that pulled in while I was fueling. End islands are usually good choices, and combined with stations that have a driveway that circles the back of the building, can be very easy to use, even if you have to wait a bit to get to them. Only rarely have I had to wait out someone that parked blocking my preferred exit path. Our current overall length is about 55 feet.

Gas stations you can get in and out of..... | Good Sam Community

BB_TX
Nomad
Dec 21, 2015
Pulling a 35' 5th wheel I also have to carefully choose stations. But I have found that at many of the larger stations even the front pumps pulling in toward the building have adequate space to pull forward and circle out.
buzzard616
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
I have cards for two commercial card-lock chains in Western Canada. The CO-OP one comes with a mini atlas with maps and GPS fixes for every station from Lake Superior to the West Coast.

Always room.

I have to guess there are similar facilities available to you.

Stu
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2015
My basic philosophy is to plan my exit before I pull in to a fuel stop. In quite a few years of towing TT's, and driving Class C's or Class A's hauling a toad, I've only had to back up once to get out. And that was only for a few feet for a better cut to clear an improperly parked car that pulled in while I was fueling. End islands are usually good choices, and combined with stations that have a driveway that circles the back of the building, can be very easy to use, even if you have to wait a bit to get to them. Only rarely have I had to wait out someone that parked blocking my preferred exit path. Our current overall length is about 55 feet.
TexasShadow
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2015
reduce your stress and just use truck stops :)
Veebyes
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2015
You are no wider than any dually around & the toad will follow between the front wheel track & rear wheel track so that is not an issue either. Your wheel base length is no longer than many of the box trucks that are in & out of gas stations with no problem.

Now, if you were towing a great long TT or 5th wheel then you would have challenges with older in town gas stations.

We are 55'LOA & do not plan ahead for specific fuel stations. Don't make an effort to go to truck stops either. Most of the time the stations near the exits are roomy enough. After all we are smaller than the fuel trucks that supply the stations.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2015
We find Gas Buddy best for looking at getting into and out of stations, but we haven't been east as far as Ohio. Generally we prefer using Sam's Clubs. Their prices beat the truck stops and there's plenty of room. Can shop while we're there also.

Bill
the_bear_II
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
I look for the large stations or truck stops.

The large stations have enough room between the pump islands and the building to pull away from the pump and head towards the exit. Especially the outer most pump islands.

Flying J and some of the other nationwide truck stops have RV friendly pump islands.

Even some of the smaller older stations where the islands are parallel to the building work.

I've only had one issue in over 40 years of traveling. I had to get gas in a small town and the station was so small that my TT hung out into the street. My DW stood at the back of the TT and directed folks around it...she got a lot of smiles and waves (friendly folks). I had to back out to head back down the road.

Plan B is to unhitch the toad, get gas and then hitch the toad back up again.

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